Historical Steelpan Paintings to be Auctioned *LINK*

Posted By: When Steel Talks
Date: Wednesday, 25 May 2005, at 11:00 a.m.

In 2000 Joseph Charles joined forces with his patron, businessman Dennis Fakoory. The latter financed Charles' launching of the art Exhibition which showcased seventeen of his medium to extra-large paintings on the history and the development of the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, the Steelpan.

The beauty of artist Joseph Charles' work also looms large for all to see on the hills of Laventille. The largest-ever murals in Trinidad and Tobago ( 55 feet high ) of the twin-island republic's national birds, the Cocorico and Scarlet Ibis - are featured on the large water tanks on the hill. Laventille is the home of one of Trinidad's legendary Steel Orchestras, Desperadoes.

Fakoory is seeking a buyer for this collection who will make it available to the pan lovers the world over, if not 365 days a year but at least have annual exhibitions. "What I would not like is for it to end up in someone's home locked away for the eyes of only a few to admire. It would also be beneficial to have as many people as possible learn of the Steelpan's history and its development." If this does not materialize, during the scheduled exhibition in the last week of August 2005, the Joseph Charles art collection is slated for sale by private auction.

"During our initial exhibition held at The National Museum and Art Gallery [in Trinidad] in February and March of 2003, we received great reviews from international visitors visiting Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival from England, Japan, North America and Switzerland. A number of them returned the following year hoping to see these paintings again at the museum."

"The government of Trinidad and Tobago have expressed their desire to acquire this collection and while we have not ruled them out we cannot wait on them indefinitely." Fakoory continued: "the artist Joseph Charles needs to be properly compensated whereby providing him with a better quality of life than he has at present."

For more information contact:
Dennis Fakoory
Author and Co-creator
Tel: 1 ( 868 ) 623 5204; 1 ( 868 ) 627 0967

View Historical Steelpan Paintings to be Auctioned